Mmmm … the aroma of coffee. Even some people who don’t drink it enjoy coffee’s heady scent. And those of us who are coffee drinkers may respond to the smell of a freshly brewed pot with a love that can be embarrassing in its fervor.

“There are a number of different ways in which coffee’s aroma compounds are created,” Compound Interest, the chemistry blog that created the infographic, explains. It adds that the Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars that makes browned foods like seared steak so delicious, “is a big contributor here, the reaction between proteins and sugars in the coffee beans producing a range of products.” What’s more, the site notes, “degradation and decomposition of other compounds in the coffee beans can also produce aroma compounds.” Brewing also plays a role.

When temperatures plummet to polar lows every February, our tastes turn toward steaming escapes, namely gallons of rich hot chocolate. Those marshmallow-topped mugs are unrivaled warmers after a good romp in the snow or on wintry movie nights. For those with a daily habit, even extra-dark hot chocolate can become too tame.

Just in time for the next snowfall, the clever culinary wizards in our Food Network Kitchen devised five devilish hot-chocolate cocktails that have been spiked, spiced and garnished to keep those of us with more adventurous — or adult — palates ladling mugfuls all winter long. From a rum-and-coconut twist that will take you to the tropics (now, on a plane, please?) to a White Hot Russian that proves white chocolate won’t go down without a fight, these are decidedly not your children’s cups of cocoa. Click the play button above to watch the cocktails being made.

American fans of celebrity spirits and spirited soccer (not to mention steamy H&M underwear ads) may be interested to know that David Beckham has officially brought his new single-grain Scotch whisky, Haig Club — which, you may recall, he launched overseas a few months ago — to the U.S. of A.

The former soccer star and his partner in premium liquor, American Idol creator Simon Fuller, introduced the new whisky to invited guests this week at a cocktail party in West Hollywood in California.

By Cindy AugustineWhether your team is playing in the Super Bowl this weekend or you’re still holding out for next year, pick up a craft brew representative of your team’s hometown. We’ve got a beer for each NFL team and, if you’re cheering on the Patriots or the Seahawks this weekend, you can be sure there’s a best-bet bottle for each.

Tripel by Allagash Brewing
If you’re cheering on the Patriots this weekend, pick up Tripel by Allagash Brewing Company. Since the Patriots are a New England team, it’s only natural that fans opt for beer that comes from Maine — in this case Allagash Brewery, which launched almost 20 years ago. With Belgian techniques and styles, the brews are almost as popular as Tom Brady and his touchdown passes. The Tripel, with notes of honey and banana, is a fruity and herbaceous strong golden ale — a winner indeed.

Lots of us enjoy drinking craft cocktails, but not all of us enjoy making them – or even really know how. And alas, perhaps all too few of us have a cute mixologist who will whip them up “with a little bit of love.”

A new gadget that’s just gotten funded (and then some) on Kickstarter is aiming to render that human mixologist obsolete and take the handmade beverage high-tech. The Somabar, which its makers describe as a “robotic bartender for your home,” is a craft-cocktail appliance that looks sort of like a SodaStream on steroids. Users download an app onto their smartphones (both Android and iOS) and then connect via WiFi to the Somabar, which they’ve preloaded with their favorite cocktail ingredients (spirits, mixers and the like), to order the mixed drink of their choice. Seconds later, they can be taking their first sip of a carefully calibrated, scientifically mixed cocktail.

When it comes to building a bar from scratch and mixing mind-blowing cocktails at home, the team from Death & Co, one of Manhattan’s elite cocktail bars, has all the tips and tricks you need. David Kaplan, Alex Day and Nick Fauchald recently released their first cookbook, titled Death & Co, which tells the story of how they opened the namesake bar in New York City and built their drink menu. With their book and their expert advice, before you know it you’ll be enjoying your own home bar and throwing the best cocktail parties in your group of friends. Start with Kaplan’s top-five rules for setting up your home bar (and maybe a Muddled Mission, recipe after the link):

1. Start with the basics: one mixable base spirit in the major categories: gin, tequila, whiskey (preferably rye if I’m around), rum and vodka — brandy as well if you’re a fan, which we all should be. Add a few frequently used modifiers (such as sweet and dry vermouth, Triple Sec, maybe a curacao of some kind).

2. Remember that “mixable” doesn’t mean “cheap,” but it should be affordable. We usually stick to a range of $15 to $30 per bottle.

In this corner, weighing in hot from the kettle, all the way from Asia, the aromatic beverage made from steeped leaves, enjoyed in a variety of types (black, green, white, herbal, oolong, etc.) and once memorably lampooned by Stephen Colbert … please put your hands together for … tea!

And in this corner, a brewed morning, midday and evening pick-me-up that – to lovers of lattes, cravers of cappuccinos and enjoyers of espressos, especially – likely needs no introduction … please give a fresh-ground greeting to … coffee!

When the weather outside is frightful and there’s a party happening indoors, you better bet that holiday cocktails will be in high demand. Grab a mug and stir together comforting spiked cocktails that are brimming with holiday flavor and perfect for winter entertaining.

For a double dose of warmth, stir together a holiday classic. Rachael Ray’s Hot Buttered Rum (pictured above) is a toasty drink simmered with spiced rum, real butter, dark brown sugar and loads of spices (think cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg). Serve with cinnamon sticks and watch guests drink it by the ladleful.

When it comes to steamy seasonal sippers, piping-hot cups of cocoa and glasses of rich buttered rum may be go-to picks, but when warmed, wine, sangria and cider can shake the December chill too. The secret to serving mulled beverages is pairing the drink with the warm flavors of complementary ingredients, like fragrant spices and fresh fruit. Read on below for Food Network’s top-five mulled drink recipes to find seasonal inspiration for wine, cider and sangria from Rachael Ray, Ina Garten, Alton Brown and more of your favorite chefs.

No matter if you’re hosting a crowd this Thanksgiving or preparing a simple meal for your family, you can make the feast feel extra special by shaking up a signature cocktail to pair with the spread. Stick with the warm flavors of fall when planning your cocktail menu, and don’t shy away from pairing the liqueurs with seasonal ingredients like fragrant spices; the more these tastes complement those in your dishes, the better. Read on below for Food Network’s top-five Thanksgiving cocktails to find easy-to-make sippers worthy of the holiday, then browse all of our Best Thanksgiving Cocktails and Drinks.

More Delicious Destinations

Latest Food Network Pins on Pinterest

Breakfast Burrito: A burrito is a delicious, portable answer to breakfast. All of the elements are snugly wrapped in a tortilla, keeping everything warmer longer when you're taking it to go.

Tyler Florence's top-rated Chicken Enchiladas are a must-try. With over 800 reviews, this recipe is sure to be a hit with any crowd.

Lemon Chicken: Turn your dinner into a takeout-inspired meal at home with Rachael Ray's chicken dish

Recipe of the Day: Tropical Greek Yogurt Breakfast Bowl You've never had a creamy, tart spoonful like this. Top Greek yogurt with a microwave-made guava-apricot compote for a vibrant breakfast bowl full of vitamins.